Sorry if this is a double-tap, I haven't yet seen it on a.net. Can't wait to hear the UA bashers come out with the, "SQ and EK have had this for years," or, "it still won't make them as good as airline ______"

Nice. This puts them in line with every other carrier flying the 777 (except for AA which I think still uses a 2-5-2 configuration). 3-3-3 seems to have really become the preferred configuration for most airlines operating the T7.

Quoting OA412 (Reply 3):This puts them in line with every other carrier flying the 777 (except for AA which I think still uses a 2-5-2 configuration). 3-3-3 seems to have really become the preferred configuration for most airlines operating the T7.

MH and SV are also 2-5-2 but I think that's about all.. DL was 2-5-2 originally but changed to 3-3-3 a few years ago.

Apparently one reason most carriers have selected 3-3-3 is that it reduces the number of inflight entertainment conbtrol boxes in each row from 4 to 3, which cuts weight and cost and reduces maintenance. It also avoids the horrible middle seat in the 5-across section and offers a higher probability of having an empty seat next to you if the flight isn't full. In any case, 3-3-3 is a lot better than 3-4-3 which seems to be the current trend with several 777 operators..

If I recall correctly, part of it had to do with the IFE boxes only being able to handle a maximum of 3 seats. With a 2-5-2 configuration, you'd need four boxes per row, adding weight and complexity. With a 3-3-3 config, the requirement goes down to three per row.

Quoting thegreatRDU (Reply 2):Old news , It still won't make them as good as CO or NWs 330s when talking about Y products but it's a start...

I think thats a very subjective statement. UAs 777 will have AVOD (actually the same system that DL has on the 77Ls) and power ports at every seat...at the very least that is the equivelent to the best US carriers international Y class.

Quoting rjpieces (Reply 7):Are the new Y seats leather, and do they have headrests?

Now, I know providing a consistent product is especially important for those sitting in F and C, but is it really necessary to have three different economy hard products? Hopefully the 777s with AVOD throughout will be the standard with the 787s and A350s arrive!

The opinions expressed here are mine and not necessarily those of Delta Air Lines.

I was just thinking about this the other day as I got notice to an upgrade on SFO-IAD-SXM. As a red-eye, there isn't going to be much food, so I was thinking there really isn't much to be excited about UA's domestic first product.

Has anyone thought about taking all of the J seats they just ripped out of the 763s and 744s and refurbishing them and sticking them in the domestic product? I know the leg rests will probably have to go to fit with the current product, but PTVs and better support seems like a good thing to have.

I also know that having PTVs in an aircraft thats entertainment runs off of one channel requires a change in the format of their entertainment system, but it seems like a cheap solution to a lacking product. Hell, it hasn't changed in 10 years.

They are in the process of recovering all the F class seats in leather...that should be done by the end of the year. While I would love to see the old J class seats be retrofitted to the domestic fleet I doubt if that is going to happen. For starters there probably are not enough of them.

The 2-5-2, if you are just a couple, you have the advantage of having only the two seats, no one to climb over or for them to climb over you. With the single traveller, if on the side only have to worry about one person for the climb over. Disadvantages ov the 2-5-2 the 5 seats in the middle if you are a single traveller next to a family of 4, what is that 4th person next to you going to do, climb over the other three family members, or just climb over you. Also if you are suck in the middle of the 5 seats, too bad if you want to get something from the overhead locker (especially this day and age where airlines are charging for all checked baggage and the Pax are trying to cram everything in overhead lockers.

The 3-3-3 advantages that I can see, if you are in the middle section, and a solo traveller, you only have to worry about one person climbing over you, easier to get your cabin baggage if so required, meals don't have to be passed 'down the line' to get to you,also if a couple and in the middle, you don't have to worry about strangers climbing over you. The disadvantages, well basically the opposite of above, a couple on the side, have to climb over someone or a single traveller on the side, have to worry about two people climbing over.

Quoting piaflyer (Reply 19):so should i be worried as a UA employee that i might not be able to fly business class anymore?

The article refers to corporations booking revenue travel not non-rev travel. The only issue that a non-rev might come across on international flights is that UA now has less F/J seats on their aircraft so there are not at many available seats as there were before. I will say that domestic F non-rev is probably a thing of the past with the new unlimited elite upgrades that UA now offers its FFs.

Quoting md94 (Reply 17):Anyone know when the first 777s will be out flying?

1st one should be close to flying if it hasn't already left the hangar. It's my understanding that the first aircraft type to be refurbished always takes the longest for certification of configuration and to feel out a process to do these changes as quick and efficient as possible. I believe once the first aircraft is given the all clear, it's a 30-day down time for the interior swap.

I believe the 1st one went out of service for the changes around the first of the year.